how to choose an electric company (Richardson, Frisco: apartment, credit, how much)

[semidevil]

I'm new to picking my own electric company, so I'm looking for advice on the best way to choose.

My apartment that I will live in recommends Green mountain, but they say I can choose whomever I want. I'll be in Amli, on Richardson.

Inserting my zip code in "powertochoose.com" A list of company shows up.

I look at green mountain, and it shows the cost to be 12 cents per 1000kwh, and it has a review of 2 plugs (higher than average complaint ratio). It shows nothing under 'minimum usage.'

So does this mean that green mountain has a lot of complaints, AND is expensive?

So then, I look at something like Reliant, which has 5 plugs (lowest complaint ratio) and is 7.7 cents. Does that mean it is cheap, and also has no complaints?

If so, what's the catch? What else am I not considering?

Also, under minimum usage, it states: "The energy charge for the first 1,000 kWh is 4.0¢ per kWh. The energy charge for usage greater than 1,000 kWh is 8.0¢ per kWh as reflected in plan details page. The average price will vary based on your usage...."

I dont understand, what does this mean? I thought they already said it is 7.7 cents

also, some will say: "Usage charge: $0 monthly service fee. A bill credit of $30 will be applied for each billing cycle in which YOUR USAGE is 999 kWh or more...."

I dont understand that either? I actually get a CREDIT of $30 if I use more than 999kwh?

*confused.*

If someone can help me clarify those, and also, in general, which company to recommend

[runeblade48]

You need to look at all the fact sheets. Some companies charge per kwh + other fees such as minimum usage and that gets rolled into the average. Some companies include the distribution companies charge in their pricing and others do not. Find a company you like can call them to make sure. 5 plugs does not mean no complaints. You can click on those plugs and get a chart of their complaints over a period of time. I haven't lived here long and just switched from champion to infinite energy. I haven't got my first bill yet so I dont know if it was a great move or not yet. Champion didn't include the distribution fees and there were lots of other fees as well. Infinite includes the distribution and seems to have lower fees. Anyway they offered a 3 month contract so its a nice trial run.

[nitynity]

try this

Power To Choose | Home

[semidevil]

thanks. So just to clarify and make sure I understand this:
My apartment recommends "Green mountain," which has the rates of 13.2cents/500kWh, 12cents/1000kwh, and 11.4cents/2000kwh. There is no minimum fee, but there is .107 oncor delivery charge, $9.95 monthly base charge, metering charge of 2.19/month.

My first couple of questions is this:
Is this considered 'high' to you guys, considering the rates and the monthly charges?
What is the best way to estimate my monthly charges (I can't grasp how much is 500kwh, 1000 kWh, and 2000kwh in real life). My guest guess is that we will have the air con running in the high 70's or maybe low 80s 24 hours per day, laundry a couple times per week, regular tv, lights, power usage for various home electronics. nothing out of the norm, I suppose. Our apartment is a 700 sq foot apt. How easy is it to use 500kwh, 1000kwh, and 2000,kWh?
My hope is that I stay at around under $80/month in electricity bills.

On power to choose, if I look at Gexa, it shows rates of 10.3cents/500kwh, 6.7kwh/1000kwh, 8.0cents/2000kwh. Fees include .060 per kWh, .032 delivery charge, and 5.25 monthly flat charge.
There is no minimum charge, but I do get $30 credit if i use over 999 kWh.

So comparing the 2, any way I slice it, Gexa is better than Green mountain right? 1. rates are lower, 2. fees are the same, 3. I get $30 credit.

Anything i"m missing here?

[Pete53FR]

The rates are fairly cheap now as summer is over so your timing is great. My rate is 8.7 cents and same company has as low as 6.7 cents for a few months and 8 cents for 1 year Looked like some companies were offering 7 cents for a year contract.

I would do a google search on any company I was thinking about most of the electric companies are bandits.

A few years ago I backed out from a company cause they were so slow to respond and did not answer telephone. Glad I did cause when there was a bounce in Natural Gas Prices about 20% of the Companies folded and the consumers were bounced into the penalty box and ended up with over 20 cent rates.

Don't forget to read the fact sheet either.

[nitynity]

Depends on how much you use. I lived in a 2 bed apt with around 1300 sq ft. I kept A/C at 70 at night and around 76 during day. I used to pay around $115. In your case, it should be under $100 depending on what temp you set. I would recommend getting some 3 month contract through one company and see how much your billing is, then switch around accordingly if needed.

[katbaloo2981]

I am moving to Frisco and am a bit overwhelmed at the selection of power companies. They seem to penalize for under or over usage..... Can anyone recommend any of them? Thank you.

[jacobr]

There are many providers. You can use Power To Choose | Home to pick the one right for you.

[frenzyrider]

I am not renewing with bounce energy since the rates are quite high compared to rest of the market. However, when I go to powertochoose.org, there are two companies that have strange EFL. One is Reliant and the other is Green Mountain. For example, can someone explain how on earth can the average price be that low when the energy charge is this high (based on the EFL disclosure below)?

Average monthly use: 500 kWh 1000 kWh 2000 kWh
Oncor Electric Delivery: 9.3¢ 8.7¢ 11.9¢
This price disclosure is based on the following components:
Base Charge: $0.00 per month
Energy Charge: (0 to 1000 kWh) $0.049950 per kWh
Energy Charge: (> 1000 kWh) $0.119000 per kWh
Oncor Electric Delivery Charges: $5.25 per month and 3.2184¢ per kWh
Oncor Electric Delivery Charges include all recurring charges passed through without mark-up.
This price disclosure is an example based on average prices - your average price for electricity service will
vary according to your usage. The price you pay each

[brainofjjj]

try Currentchoice.com

It's new i think and offers better straight comparisons.